Sen. Joe Rafferty earns perfect score for voting record on reproductive rights

AUGUSTA – Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk, earned a perfect score from Planned Parenthood Maine for votes to protect reproductive rights and improve access to health care. Sen. Rafferty is one of 21 senators to earn a perfect score for their 2021-2022 voting record.

“I believe that it is important that each of us have access to the health care we need, and that the care we receive is high-quality and affordable,” said Sen. Rafferty. “Reproductive health care and reproductive rights are no different in my eyes. I am proud to have received this score and remain committed to protecting the health care rights of all Mainers so long as I am in the Legislature.”

Planned Parenthood scored Maine legislators on their votes on nine bills, including six anti-abortion bills. This year, the Legislature passed a new law that requires state-regulated health insurance plans to cover contraceptives that best meet a patient’s health needs as determined by the patient and their trusted health care professional. Lawmakers also took action to better protect patients’ safety when accessing care. 

In recent months, there have been an unprecedented number of attacks on abortion access around the country, including several states that have enacted near-total bans on abortion without exception for rape or incest. With the Supreme Court expected to repeal Roe v. Wade, as indicated in the leaked draft opinion last month, the responsibility to protect abortion access will fall to state legislatures. In Maine, Democratic lawmakers have blocked the passage of extreme anti-abortion laws, similar to laws that have already been adopted in other states. Every Democrat in the Maine Senate received a 100 percent score from Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood provides reproductive and other health care services, including abortion care, immunizations and cancer screenings.

The complete Maine Senate legislative scorecard can be found here.